Securing a building permit is the first real test in any Australian build or major renovation. Two options sit on the table: prepare the drawings yourself as an owner-builder or engage a specialist in home design drafting. Both routes can satisfy council, yet their impact on cash flow, schedules and peace of mind is anything but equal. What “cost” really means Sketching your own plans feels thrifty. Consumer CAD software is inexpensive, and tutorial videos promise results in